STRENGTHS
Leighton reminds me a lot of Patriots Dont’a Hightower. He’s big and tall and is an overall excellent athletic player who can play more than one position in your defensive front seven. He has improved in every game this season working and defending the middle of the field in both run and pass defenses. He is smart and takes what he learns in practice on to the field and into the game. He shows leadership qualities through his play on the field. He has improved in his recognition and tackling this season along with understanding to take better angles. Leighton shows on film the athleticism to cover those big tight ends down the field and those long arms and legs to sit on their hip of a receiver and still recover and knock the ball down. He has the size and athletic talent that is unique and has the potential to be a playmaker defensive player for the team that selects him.

CONCERNS
Leighton may remind me of Dont’a Hightower but his is not close to being the finish product that Dont’a was when he came out in the draft. Leighton needs to improve his upper body strength dramatically to be able to tackle and fight and shed those big more athletic guards in the NFL. Leighton’s impact position at the next level will be as an outside linebacker in a 3/4 defense and that will require him to learn much better pass rush moves and techniques that on film he shows no knowledge of at all. Nevertheless Leighton will be attractive to all 32 teams because he has shown the ability to play more than one position and learn quickly.

BOTTOM LINE
There is a lot of athletic talent in a big body that I would think that most teams will struggle to pass on in the 1st round nevertheless if Leighton is put on the field too early he will struggle to impact and hold up. He needs to be in a good strength and conditioning program to bring his upper body up to the level required for the next level. If he is moved to the outside he needs to learn a lot more and better pass rush moves to become a complete player along with learning how to shed blocks better to make tackles when those big pulling offensive guards and tackles come at him to set the edge. He has the talent but he lacks the strength and techniques right now and teams that want to select him early in this draft will have to be patient and give him time. That being said, Leighton is the type of athletic player that can be used and impact in specialty defenses and situations and that alone could make teams want to select him early in this draft. Remember the TBR grade does not suggest what round a player could be selected in; it’s a tool for fellow Draftnik's to use to understand the players potential and talent for the next level. Leighton could be selected as early as the first round or could slip because of his lack of length till impact (LTI)

Drew Boylhart   FEB.2018